Legislation Forum
LEGISLATION FORUM
"DO SOMETHING"
I am enclosing a message to cyclists, "Do Something for Motorcycling."
Besides being an enthusiastic, experienced motorcyclist, I am certified in driver education, and have been a sponsor for the National Youth Traffic Safety Association for five years in a large junior high school (2000 pupils). I hold an MA degree and teach industrial arts for exceptional children. For two years I have been preparing a manuscript for a textbook on driver training and motorcycle safety for cyclists. Last summer I attended the nation's first university motorcycle workshop at the University of Illinois where I was a speaker.
"Do Something for Motorcycling" follows:
No, I do not mean promote a racing event for enthusiasts' entertainment or perform a wheelie to impress others with your skill and a motorcycle's capabilities. I mean, do something for motorcycling SAFEL Y to help stem the rising tide of laws and restrictions that are hastily being formed against motorcycling. Many of these laws are promoted by persons with knowledge of accident statistics who would abolish cycles in the pretense of saving motorcyclists. While this action continues unhampered by common sense or helpful suggestions from experienced motorcyclists, many cyclists idly stand aside, griping to each other. Put away your crying towels and stop complaining-let's do something constructive before individuals who have little or no knowledge of the merits of motorcycling succeed in reducing to ruin our sport, hobby, and practical transportation.
Shut up about personal rights, unless you personally intend to challenge a law in court, for your rights have precious little effect on motorcycle legislation. Weigh these facts against your ideas about personal rights. When cyclists neglect using personal safety apparel and motorcycle safety accessories, and ignore the ill feelings created by poor driving behavior and noisy exhausts, who suffers most? ALL cyclists! News media tend to dramatize accidents involving motorcycles. These accidents invariably are called "motorcycle accidents, " regardless of the circumstances. Hoodlums, deadbeats, and irresponsible youth who ride cycles and commit petty crimes of vandalism or malicious mischief are not criminals or juvenile delinquents in the news; they are "motorcyclists. " This publicity feeds the already poor image anti-motorcyclists delight in perpetuating. The death or injury of a motorcyclist becomes harmful to all cyclists. This is reflected in rising insurance rates, and social and financial losses for family and community.
You, cyclists, can help motorcycling most effectively by availing yourselves of current information on motorcycle safety and by being sure you are well informed about the finer points of driving the vehicle you enjoy. Help beginning cyclists whenever possible by giving sound advice and demonstrating sensible use of a motorcycle. Supply them with safety information about motorcycling; I refer particularly to the numerous, usually free, well-illustrated, easily understood publications now being printed by leading motorcycle companies as a public service. These are available direct or through local motorcycle dealers. If you are an experienced cyclist, you can have much influence among your youthful friends who wish to become cyclists.
Aside from writing your opinions to motorcycle magazines, voice your opinions in person and by writing to local newspapers, traffic safety officials, and legislators. Be sure you have accurate, pertinent information related to what you speak for or against. Avoid griping for the sake of complaining, but present clear and weighty facts from the motorcyclist's point of view. If you belong to a service organization, promote motorcycle safety, stressing it as an important aspect of community safety, which it truly is.
The foregoing suggestions, my fellow cyclists, are the best methods of doing something for motorcycling, for making cycling the safe and enjoyable experience we know it can be. Who knows? With enough organized effort, we may eventually succeed in convincing some of the opposing faction of this, too. But if many more cyclists do not step forward now, restrictive legislation may bring the day when motorcycles may be enjoyed only in our own backyards.
S. L. SMAY Quincy, 111.
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"WAKE UP"
Wake up, readers! I did! As I read William Dudgeon's "On My Knees, Yet" (CW, June '68), I immediately recognized myself. I'm guilty as sin, and I for one will regret it if the day comes when motorcycles are outlawed from the streets altogether. And, the way things are going lately, that day just may come. I don't know about the rest of you fans, but I don't want to be limited to a Sunday afternoon ride through the side streets, which have been closed off by the mayor just for the "enjoyment" of demonic motorcyclists.
So let's go, brethren. Blow out the apathy and get on the stick. Write those letters and don't stop until your pen melts. I've just finished writing to every representative and legislator in the state, and when they finish reading those, I've got volumes more. We pay for the right to ride, so let's make sure we can exercise that right while we're still young enough to enjoy it.
HAROLD JORDAN Milford, Conn.
"MIND BOGGLES"
I was somewhat dismayed to read the contents of Legislation Forum in this month's issue. From what I can gather from the letters published, it seems that most of your country is suffering from shortsighted, narrow-minded do-gooders. We get our share of these people as well and find that banding together to unite the effort and to organize petitions and to send letters of protest can be quite effective. Our current Minister of Transport appears so imbued with the idea of clearing the roads of every form of transport by high taxes on licensing, fuel, etc., that the only logical method remaining is the horse!
So far, we have not had any proposed legislation on compulsory seat belts (thanks be to God), crash bars, goggles, facemasks, screens and the like. The idea of dual headlights appalls me. Are the legislators unaware that dual headlights could be mistaken for a car, with disastrous results? The idea to keep cyclists off the roads after dark seems to stem from those who can't see a cyclist in broad daylight. Really! What can be wrong with drivers who cannot see an object 7 ft. long by 3 ft. wide and 6 ft. high? My mind boggles at the possibilities. Surely it cannot be that they are unused to seeing cyclists? A lot of potential bad publicity can be avoided by prevention. Quieter machines would help tremendously. More efficient silencers are available from Triumph, at least for their 650s, as used on the Home market.
We have training schemes over here for teaching learner motorcyclists and scooterists. These schemes are sponsored by the Royal Automobile Club and by the Auto-Cycle Union, the latter being the governing body of British sport. Learners who pass the examination are well prepared to face the perils of modern traffic. The complete training course costs about $5 and consists of 12 hours practical tuition (machine provided if necessary) and 12 hours theoretical instruction. The cost is low because tuition is given by a corps of volunteer instructors. Perhaps such a scheme would be of value in the U.S.
Whatever results from all the legislative proposals, I sincerely hope that U.S. motorcyclists can organize some effective opposition. Sincerely, because our government has in the past borrowed ideas from your country, and it would be nice not to have to write to some Member of Parliament every couple of months.
W.H.L. BAKER Watford, Herts, England
"THE 'REASON'''
Recently I wrote the state of New Jersey to try to find out the reasoning behind motorcycles being banned from the Garden State Parkway for the past several years.
I thought you might be interested in seeing the "reason" they gave me. The answer follows:
Dear Mr. Gately:
Motorcycles are prohibited on the Garden State Parkway pursuant to the provisions of Article 1.1.8.B.(3) of New Jersey Highway Authority Regulations governing use of the Garden State Parkway. This and other regulations were adopted by the Authority pursuant to the authorization of the Legislature set forth in Section 18 of the Authority Act (N.J.S.A. 27.12B-1 et seq.). A copy of the Authority's Regulations is attached for your information.
Before adopting the regulation in question, the Authority determined that the motorcycle is incompatible with other vehicles using the Parkway and that increased safety would be attained by a more homogenous traffic stream from which motorcycles, as a completely different vehicle type, would be eliminated.
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Thomas J. West New Jersey Highway Authority Garden State Parkway
Woodbridge, N.J.
DON GATELY Yamaha International Corp.
Montebello, Calif.
"LOST A CUSTOMER"
Several years ago I bought my first motorcycle, a Honda trail bike. Two years ago I bought a 250-cc Honda which I still have. I had hoped to buy another trail bike this year and another bike for my wife as a Christmas present. Instead, I find myself forced to sell my present bike and give up the sport of motorcycling and the utility of a motorcycle as transportation.
I must do this because of the restrictive laws recently passed by the State of Texas. These same laws are being pushed nationwide by the President's Council on Highway Safety. However, the laws have little connection with real safety.
In order to ride my motorcycle, I will have to get a special driver's license, in addition to my present one. I will have to furnish the inspector a car and driver when I take the special test. I will have to cart a helmet with me on my hunting and exploring trips if I use the public highways. My wife, and later my children, will also be faced with the special test and the purchases of helmets if they use the bike to go to the corner grocery. The additional cost and complexity destroy the utility of the motorcycle.
The motorcycle companies have lost a customer, the motorcycle magazines have lost a reader, and the state government has lost my respect.
GEORGE L. TURK JR.
Houston, Tex.
"WRITE!"
I am writing in regard to a few silly laws in Jonesboro, Ark. I was home on leave last month. The city cops told me before I could ride my 305 Honda, I had to put crash bars and a headlight on it. Also I had to wear a helmet and burn my light in the daytime. What can I do about having these stupid laws changed? We don't have any clubs, so should I write to the state senator or governor?
HARRY RUFFIN
Jonesboro, Ark.
Write to your state senator and to your local newspapers as well. Write anywhere to draw attention to these petty restrictions.-Ed.
"HELMETS ARE INEVITABLE"
The Florida Motorcycle Dealers Association, Inc., wishes to congratulate CYCLE WORLD for the informative article, "The Scene," (CW, Feb. '68).
We also agree that helmets are inevitable, so we have joined our legislators 100 percent on this in order that we may be considered on future legislation.
BOB RICHARDS Florida Motorcycle Dealers Assoc., Inc.
Jacksonville, Fla.
